Celiac plexus block: a roentgenographic, anatomic study of technique and spread of solution in patients and corpses.

Techniques for blocking the celiac plexus were evaluated by conventional posteroanterior and lateral x-rays and computed tomography (CT) in 20 patients with intractable pain due to carcinoma of the pancreas and by determining spread of injected dye at the time of autopsy in three corpses. The results showed that (a) the site for insertion of the needles should not be more than 7.5 cm lateral to the spinous process of a lumbar vertebra, (b) needles should be placed bilaterally, (c) the depth to which needles are inserted is greater than previously recommended, and (d) at least 25 ml of solution should be injected through each needle.